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Project Noah Nature School
Rhodostethia rosea
Rare sighting of a small dove-like arctic gull. Non-breeding plumage is mostly white with pale gray back, wings, no black on wing tips, wedged tail. Pale pink on the breast and small dark cresent smudge behind the eyes. Dark eyes, red legs and small black bill.
Normally is found in the Bering Sea pack ice. This one was found on the beach and then in a flooded field feeding on earthworms.
Sadly after I took these photos 2 Peregrine Falcons flushed it and took it.
Spotted on Jan 14, 2017
Submitted on Jan 16, 2017
8 Comments
Great spotting and story. Jellis.
Congrats on your SOTD Jellis.
Thank you PN for the SOTD
Great spotting Jellis,congrats on the well deserved SOTD and thanks for sharing
Congratulations Janet! This special sighting and story is our Spotting of the Day!
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Yes it shocked everyone. But it happens. It was alone a small white gull in a muddy field. No protection from other gulls. Even though there were hundreds of birders only about 50 ft from it, it was too easy for two Peregrines to pass up.
Such a shame it came to such an untimely end. That is nature but these small gulls are beautiful. Thank you for sharing this Jellis.
Fantastic spothing